Trumpeter Claudio Roditi (called one of the very best performers in jazz by All Music Guide) brings his samba and jazz blend to the stage, with the help of Brazilian-born, Seattle-based pianist Jovino Santos-Neto and his trio featuring Chuck Deardorf on bass and Mark Ivester on drums. Roditi has shared the stage with Dizzy Gillespie, Slide Hampton, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Joe Henderson, and has delighted audiences around the globe.

Also on the bill will be the dynamic Hadley Caliman Quintet, playing music from their latest release Straight Ahead, which has been in the Top 10 on the National Radio Airplay charts since its release last month. Caliman, arguably the most iconic Seattle jazz musician alive, has recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop, including Freddie Hubbard, Santana, The Grateful Dead, Dexter Gordon and many others. His band includes Northwest luminaries Thomas Marriott, Matt Jorgensen, Eric Verlinde, and Phil Sparks.

Visit the Ballard Jazz Festival website for more information and for special advance ticket purchase specials.

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy

I grew up listening to my father's Jazz records and listening to radio. My dad was a musician for many years as a vocalist, bassist and drummer. His two uncles played in the Symphony of Reggio Calabria back in Italy. So music and jazz specifically have been a part of me since I was born. I love and perform in all styles of music from around the world. Improvisation in jazz is what drew me in, and still does as well as other genres that feature improvisation. A group of great musicians expressing themselves as one is the hallmark of great jazz and in fact all great music.